"The problem with so many aspirant women entrepreneurs in Africa is that they are perfectionists and they are afraid of failure or starting too small. So instead they keep endlessly planning and striving for perfection but never actually get around to starting. So the advice is to just start, with baby steps at first, and then grow organically from there - but, ultimately, just start."

Successful businesses start with a great product concept and a great vision, and for entrepreneur Sandra Mwiihangele, founder of Kiyomisandz Beauty Products, both these factors were in place from day one. Today, this innovative entrepreneur is building a successful business built on solid values, great technical expertise, and an understanding of what customers want and need.

Swaady Martin, the entrepreneur and founder of luxury lifestyle brand YSWARA, is launching an exciting new initiative and one that is close to her heart. Following hot on the heels of two other exciting projects she has launched in 2018, her new company SHIFT WITHIN, and the publication of a collection of spiritual tales for children MALAIKA AND THE ANGEL, she is now launching Tounché, Global Consciousness Summit on Saturday 1st December 2018.

Africa has a long tradition of producing the most beautiful textiles, and for entrepreneur Tatiana Massangu Ilunga, founder of Kiyana Design in Cote d’Ivoire, that design tradition was the inspiration for her business. Today, she is producing a range of home decor items that celebrate the best of African textile design.

On a beautiful and warm morning in Maseru, Lesotho on Friday 16th November, 60 leading women entrepreneurs gathered together at the Avani Hotel and Leisure Resort for a morning of inspiration and business networking at the final Lioness Lean in event of the year in the country. And what a morning it was! Co-hosted by Lionesses of Africa and Standard Lesotho Bank, the event aimed to inspire and connect women entrepreneurs from Maseru for greater business success.

I don’t work on Sundays. No wait, I don’t do anything on Sundays! And this seems to boggle a lot of minds. People have numerous reasons why I should see them on Sunday. It’s fascinating. I have thus far taught my body to refuse all when I wake, I can literally spend the entire day (10 hours) in bed reading, eating and watching things on the laptop. Lazy right? Yep, yep, yep. But I have my reasons - give me a chance to explain.

Namibia has no shortage of dynamic women with the ability, brains and willpower to bring about positive change to their organizations, their communities, and the world. Yet, when we question why women remain underrepresented in positions of leadership, a common and untrue response is, “We can’t find ‘good’ women.” In their new book, Follow Her Lead, authors and entrepreneurs Claudette Nahum & Nangula Shejavali, look to set the story straight.

What are the key driving forces behind your business? Is it your product? Your service offering? Is it your price offering on your product or services? NO! What drives your business and the real success behind your organization is your TEAM. Therefore, if you want a growing and successful business, a business that is profitable and thriving, it is crucial that you have the right team driving your business. So, how do you go about recruiting and retaining a winning team?

"Anyone who wishes to be an entrepreneur must know that bright ideas are great, however, they are not even half of the work; execution is everything. Yes, as the saying goes, ‘there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come’, but when that time comes, you must be prepared to bleed sweat, tears and blood to bring your ideas to life."

"There will be many times every single day while you are creating or running your business where it will be easy to stop rather than continue. But do just that — continue. And as you continue, focus on making your product or service the absolute best and then delivering that product or service inside the most amazing experience for your customers. Do that and repeat relentlessly, but always with a smile."

“The reality is that to be a profitable, well-run business, it’s all about scale. I’ve never had an ambition to be a small business. I tell my staff they shouldn’t think like an SME. Don’t think you will always be a small business because then you will always be a small business.”

The South African craft gin industry is growing steadily, with women taking a leading role in this exciting industry. For Women’s Month The Gin Box recognised just a few of the sensational, creative and determined women behind craft gin. The Gin Box, is South Africa's 1st Craft Gin Club delivers craft gin, local tonics, gourmet snacks to your door. Subscribe monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly.

Internationally renowned interior design guru, Dorothy van’t Riet, founder and principal designer at DVR Design & Decor Consultants in South Africa, is to be celebrated with this year’s 2018 Decorex Designer Spotlight feature stand. The timing is perfect given that DVR is celebrating 30 years in the design industry this year. At Decorex, Dorothy will be creating an individual curated living space filled with beauty, style and colour using some of her favourite pieces that evoke a personal sense of joy. Decorex takes place from 8 to 12 August at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.

South Africa based publishing entrepreneur, Fatuma Abdullah, founder of Akiki Dolls and the visionary behind the Akiki series of children’s books, has just won The AfriCAN Authors’ Awards 2018. The awards which celebrate Self-Published African Authors recognised Fatuma’s engaging books in the category of Children's Travel Books. Africa is rich in culture, language and tradition, and Fatuma celebrates these facets through her Akiki books which take children on imaginary travels across the continent through the eyes of the engaging lead character of Akiki.

Namibia has no shortage of dynamic women with the ability, brains and willpower to bring about positive change to their organizations, their communities, and the world. Yet, when we question why women remain underrepresented in positions of leadership, a common and untrue response is, “We can’t find ‘good’ women.” In their new book, Follow Her Lead, authors and entrepreneurs Claudette Nahum & Nangula Shejavali, look to set the story straight.

If you have ever wondered how to Redesign Your Business To Earn More, Work Less And Be Free, then author Natalie Sisson has the answer. In The Freedom Plan book she shows you how to reclaim your time, streamline your business, and be more profitable while living your ideal lifestyle and feeling on purpose!